Find out what’s going on in the local business community

EMPLOYMENT

Kaitlin Gavin has been appointed vice president and general manager of Dealertrack Registration and Title Solutions in Groton. Gavin joined the Dealertrack Registration and Title Solutions in 2017 as the senior director of business operations. Before joining Dealertrack, Gavin spent seven years with CarMax Auto Finance. Dealertrack is part of the Cox Automotive family. For more information, visit www.dealertrack.com.

John Marriott of Killingworth has been named chief executive officer of footwear brand SoftScience. Marriott brings more than 23 years of experience in operations management, specializing in early stage and startup companies, e-commerce and digital marketing strategies, event management and production, business plan development, financial modeling and analytics. For more information, visit www.softscience.com.

NETWORKING

Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours will be held at New England Science and Sailing, 72 Water St., Stonington, on June 12, 5:30–7:30 p.m. NESS will have refreshments from Cove Ledge Beer, Wine & Spirits, food from Dog Watch Mystic, and prizes from Stonington Borough merchants. NESS will be offering three 18-person boat tours throughout the evening; guests can register prior and fill out a safety form. NESS will also offer land-based educational activities. Register at www.mysticchamber.org/ events/june-12 or contact GMCC at (860) 572-9578.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will hold a Business After Hours networking event at the Norwich Spa at Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Boulevard, Mashantucket on Wednesday, June 20, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Admission is $15 for Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT members, $25 for non-members, and includes food, refreshments, and entry to the evening's door prize drawing. Advance registration is encouraged to avoid an additional $5 walk-in fee at www. ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

BioCT will host its 3rd Annual Summer Kick-Off on Tuesday, June 12, at the Innovation Commons. The event will begin with the opening of the STE[A]M art exhibit indoors at The Innovation Commons from 4-5 p.m., and then move outdoors from 5-7 p.m. The Innovation Commons is located at 93 Shennecossett Road in Groton. Tickets are $30. For more information and to register, visit www.bit.ly/ SummerInno18.

WORKSHOPS

The Connecticut Department of Labor is offering jobseekers in eastern Connecticut opportunities to meet with area companies every other Wednesday to discuss possible employment. The summer-long series of “Micro Career Fairs,” also known as “Employer Wednesdays,” will host local employers at the state's new Montville job center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every other Wednesday to review résumés and meet with job candidates. The Montville American Job Center is located at 601 Norwich-New London Turnpike Suite 1, Uncasville. Jobseekers planning to attend are required to register on the system by visiting www.CTHires.com. The next event is scheduled for June 20.

SCORE will host the following workshops:

"The ABCs of a Business Plan and Understanding a SWOT Analysis," Wednesday, June 13, 9:30-11 a.m., East Lyme Public Library, 39 Society Road, Niantic. Presenter is Economic Development Specialist Tanisha Baptiste of the Small Business Association.

"Effective Small Business Time Management," Tuesday, June 19, 5:30–7 p.m., East Hampton Library, 105 Main St. Presenter is Eric Munro.

"Getting Your Non-Profit Organization Organized," Wednesday, June 20, 9:30–11 a.m., East Lyme Public Library, 39 Society Road, Niantic. Presenter is Tom Gezo.

“Effective Financial Planning,” Thursday, June 21, 6-7:30 p.m., Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook. Presenter is John Porter.

“Strategic Planning for Non-Profits,” Thursday, June 28, 9:30–11 a.m., Old Saybrook Town Hall, 302 Main St. Presenter is Tom Gezo.

For more information, contact Anne Driscoll at anne. driscoll@scorevolunteer.org. To register, visit www.sect. score.org.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will hold a free member workshop on Tuesday, June 19, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on the topic of "Time Management and Juggling Priorities" at its office in Waterford at 914 Hartford Turnpike, 2nd floor. This workshop will be led by Clear Pathway LLC. Admission is free for employees who work for a Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT-affiliated business. Non-member admission is $10. Learn more and register online at www. ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

EVENTS

Participants of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT's Leadership Program Class of 2018 will graduate on Tuesday, June 19, in a ceremony from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Great Neck Country Club, 28 Lamphere Road, Waterford. Over the past two years, class participants met in monthly sessions with a variety of industry and community leaders. In June 2017, the class completed a large-scale renovation of the family areas at Madonna Place in Norwich as part of their class project. Admission, which includes lunch, is $30 per person, requested at the time of registration. Admission is free for Class of 2017 alumni and Class of 2018 graduates. RSVP at www.ChamberECT.com/ events or call (860) 701-9113.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will present its annual "State of New London" update on Wednesday, June 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Holiday Inn, 35 Governor Winthrop Boulevard, New London. Mayor Michael Passero and Patrick Green, President and CEO of L+M Healthcare, will talk. Admission is $20 for guests who work for a business that belongs to the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT. Admission for non-members if $25. All admission includes lunch provided by the Holiday Inn. Learn more and register online at www. ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT is calling on all runners and walkers to participate in the Sailfest Charter Oak Federal Credit Union 5k Road Race, on Sunday, July 15, through downtown New London. This annual 5k funrun caps off Sailfest weekend. Timing will be by SNERRO with the MyLaps Chip Bib System. Markers, splits, aid, and water will be available at stations throughout the course. The race starts at 9:15 a.m. in front of Citizens Bank on Eugene O'Neill Drive, with the finish line at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument at State Street. Registration is $20 per individual before June 22. Registration after June 22 is $25. A military discount is available for $10 before June 22 or $15 after June 22. No refunds will be issued after June 22. Register and find more info at www.ChamberECT. com/race or call (860) 7019113. This road race is made possible through the support of Charter Oak Federal Credit Union and Atlantic Broadband.

The Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce's Legislative Breakfast will be held Tuesday, June 12, from 7–9 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, 10 Laura Blvd., Norwich. The doors open for networking and breakfast starting at 7 a.m. followed by the panel discussion from 7:45–9 a.m. The event is free for members and $10 for non-members. Registration at www.norwichchamber.com/events.

RIBBON CUTTING

Participants from the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT's Leadership Program Class of 2019 will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, June 18, from 10-11 a.m. at The Arc New London County's Farm Stand, 1671 Center Groton Road, Ledyard. This special event celebrates the completion of a new garage unit at The Arc New London County's Food Stand, which will allow staff to safely store equipment. Leadership Program participants raised funds, purchased and installed the garage equipment as part of their class service project, with additional support coming from Dominion Energy and Electric Boat. This event is free and open to the public with no RSVP necessary. Learn more at www.ChamberECT. com/events or call (860) 7019113.

HONORS

Margo Weitekamp, chair of Southeastern CT SCORE , was presented the 2017 Connecticut Leadership Award at this year's annual SBA Small Business Week ceremony held in New Haven. The SCORE Leadership Award is presented each year to an outstanding individual whose team building and leadership skills develop exceptional performance as evaluated by SCORE's volunteers and their clients. Brian Baxendale, assistant regional director for SCORE in Connecticut, handled the presentation on behalf of SCORE and the SBA.

The southeastern Connecticut SCORE office is located in the Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce building, and its volunteers provide free business mentoring each month in Guilford, Madison, Essex, Old Saybrook, Middletown, Waterford, Norwich, New London and Mystic.

To learn more about how to schedule free mentoring with a SCORE counselor, attending workshops, or becoming a SCORE volunteer, go to www. sect.score.org or contact Southeastern Connecticut SCORE at (860) 388-9508 or email scorechapter@gmail. com.

EXPANSION

William Raveis Real Estate has acquired Niantic-based Heritage Properties, a leading agency in New London County with more than $150 million in sales volume and close to 60 real estate professionals. This acquisition strengthens Raveis' position on the Connecticut shoreline with the combined firms obtaining number one market share in New London County, based on both 2017 closed volume and closed units, which is approximately 40 percent higher than the nearest competitor. Raveis will also acquire Heritage's real estate training school, The Academy of Professional Education, in Niantic. Bill Raveis is Chairman and CEO of the company, which was founded 44 years ago. Co-Presidents are Chris Raveis and Ryan Raveis. Heritage co-owners are Ann Carpenter, Bill Heenan, Mary Poola and David Saindon. For more information, visit www. raveis.com.

GIVING

Pfizer Groton Labs has awarded $2,500 to The Arc New London County's Community Life & Advocacy's six-program Empowerment/ Enrichment component. In addition to supporting STEM programs in area schools, the Pfizer Community Grant program provides funding for underserved groups such as people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Based in Norwich and established in 1952, The Arc NLC's Community Life & Advocacy program serves more than 180 people with IDD from southeastern Connecticut each year.

Holmgren Subaru of North Franklin has donated over $30,000 to Sails Up 4 Cancer through the Share The Love Campaign. The money will go toward funding education, prevention, care and cure for all types of cancer. For nine years, Subaru and its retailers have partnered with more than 660 non-profits to show the company's commitment to helping local communities. By the end 2017, Subaru hopes to exceed a grand total of $90 million donated since the creation of Share the Love. For more information visit www.su4c.org.

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